Alden clapped lightly, maintaining his indifferent mask.
Internally, however, he was a bundle of joy.
He was overjoyed that the Nobles had won.
His former examiners had displayed their might in an exhilarating clash against the number one Guild, and while they probably wouldn't topple the Holy Knights from their perch, they would doubtless soar up the rankings.
If it was up to him, Alden would place them in the top three.
However, it remained to be seen whether the panel of independent Paladins responsible for approving changes to the Guild rankings would agree.
Alden hoped they would.
In any case, now that the Guild Tournament was over, he looked forward to a hot bath and spending some time with Ignia. The white-haired young man also wanted to sit down with his parents and listen to their retelling of the Tournament from their perspective.
Surrounded by physical and emotional warmth, cradling a goblet of non-alcoholic mead…
'Ah, there are not many things better than that in life.'
Alden sighed, imagining the bliss awaiting him.
Unfortunately, his duties as the Keeper's Apprentice were not finished quite yet. He had to stick around for the prize ceremony and congratulate the Nobles for a Tournament well done. He also had to return to the Donjon and report what happened to Morrigan, as well.
All in all, it would be a little while until he returned home.
Muttering a silent curse, Alden remained seated as attendants rushed into the arena to construct the ceremonial arch. The Holy Knights re-emerged after being whisked away by the medics to tend to their injuries. The last group that stepped out were the Lunar Eclipse Guild, who had defeated the Storm Sentinels after the Final to secure third place.
The crowd cheered and clapped, the Nobles and Holy Knights receiving most of their adoration.
Overall, it was a great Tournament, serving its purpose well.
Certainly, Alden had forgotten about the threat the Defiled posed, if only for today.
Very soon, the ceremonial arch was complete, wreathed in rare sparkling gems that caught the fading light. At the bottom, several luminous bulbs affixed with Mana Crystals were set up to bathe the champions of the Tournament in a magical glow, worthy of their endeavours.
Grand Elder Orion left the private viewing chamber, materialising in the middle of the arena as if he had been there all along. The venerable Master thanked the spectators for coming, and praised all the combatants for the wonderful bouts.
Next, he handed the Holy Knight Order and the Lunar Eclipse Guild their prizes for finishing second and third - a sum of Mana Crystals, and some herbs which were said to loosen the bottleneck towards the next Rank -, before turning his attention towards the Nobles.
At that moment, the sun dipped below the Theatre of War, plunging the arena into darkness. Immediately after, the ceremonial arch lit up. With the backdrop of the last of twilight's glow staining the horizon, the Nobles's mood-ring eyes became all the more pronounced.
They swirled, providing a truly wondrous sight.
A moment later, Grand Elder Orion presented the winners with their gifts: the largest sum of Mana Crystals, as well as the ability to call upon the Zephyr Clan for one future task.
…Just like that, the Guild Tournament came to a close.
Walking home, Alden's mind was a swarm of thoughts.
Light snow coated his figure as he entered the Territory of Flame.
Ignia ruffled her feathers at the cold, and he instinctively lifted a finger towards her, stroking her soft plumage. She expressed her contentment through their bond, causing an absent smile to form on Alden's face.
Suddenly, the little phoenix flapped her wings.
Only, instead of flying off, Ignia dove into his arms and nuzzled his chest.
Chuckling heartily, Alden allowed her to distract him from his thoughts.
After the ceremony finished, he had made his way down into the tunnels of the arena to commend the Nobles for their victory. The staff-wielder had welcomed him with a smile, while Toni's eyes narrowed, her previous jubilation transforming into wariness and suspicion.
Alden couldn't help but shake his head at her antics.
Meanwhile, the Noble Queen had happily accepted his congratulations, thanking him for personally coming to meet them. Alden had felt a little awkward - part of the reason he sought them out was because he wished to commemorate them in person, but there was also another reason.
One, more business-oriented, and aligning with his duties as the Keeper's Apprentice.
That was not what made him so pensive, though.
It was what came after…
His meeting with Morrigan.
A part of Alden was afraid she would scold him for creating unnecessary trouble by antagonising Zaruk. However, the Keeper dismissed that notion with a gnarled wave of her hand. Instead, she praised him for sticking up for Celeste and ensuring her honour as a woman remained.
Then, Alden enquired about the Crimson Apostles and their rumoured attack.
Morrigan's expression darkened.
…And what he heard made his stomach drop.
Not only were the casualties high, but the Keeper also revealed they were in possession of a powerful anti-divination measure which obscured them from her sight - both as a Transcendent and an oracle.
A cold gust of wind suddenly blew through his clothes, spraying some snowdrift into his hair and face. He glanced at the surrounding darkness and increased his pace, his heartbeat unconsciously rising as Morrigan's words echoed in his mind.
Alden suddenly felt very bad for the mundane people.
Not only did they have to worry about external attacks from outside the Sanctuary, and what would happen to them if the Barrier fell again, but they also had to beware of internal strife in the form of a murderous and unhinged cult.
In other words, they could not live in peace.
Or at least, as much peace as one could have in an Apocalypse.
'Another reason why the world isn't fair.'
The white-haired young man shook the snow out of his hair.
A little while later, he paused…
Because he and Celeste had arrived at the same time.
Still unsure of how to act, Alden averted his gaze and allowed her to enter first.
He stayed like that for a few moments, light snow his only companion, besides the sleeping Ignia.
Carefully controlling his expression to mask his sadness, Alden entered his home, ignoring the guards.
Only, what greeted him was not an empty corridor, but his precious love.
She had her back to him, but he could instinctively sense her biting her lips.
'She really has to stop doing that.'
He chuckled bitterly to himself.
Celeste took a deep breath.
And then said in an extremely soft tone:
"…For helping me earlier. With Zaruk."
At that, an instinctive, gentle smile full of boundless warmth, graced Alden's face.
He looked down at the sleeping phoenix in his arms, and then at his former love, and the way her shoulders trembled slightly, before responding just as softly: